Certain steps do need to be taken to avoid misuse and ensure that Affinity will provide you with years of enjoyment. The following guide­lines will help prevent damage from occurring to your surface.

Preventing Heat Damage

Affinity withstands heat better than ordinary surface materials. How­ever, all solid surface products will expand and contract with changes in temperature. Excess heat may result in scorching, cracking, or seam separation. We offer the following suggestions to avoid heat related issues: Hot Pots: Never place them directly on your countertop. Use a solid trivet with rubber feet.

Portable Appliances: Please use them with caution. This includes electric frying pans, deep fat fryers, portable woks, crock pots and the like. Such appliances should only be used on solid trivets with rubber feet. Items such as toasters and coffee pots generally do not generate enough heat to cause problems, but caution should be exercised. While portable appliances on rubber feet may seem harmless, such appliances can radiate an enormous amount of heat down onto the surface of the countertop. Place such items on a solid trivet with rubber feet.

Cook Tops and Ranges: Heat damage next to cook tops and ranges is posssible, most often seen as cracks in corners or near the largest burners. Vent hoods or downdraft fans should be used while cooking as the constant air flow will help moderate hot spots. Oversized pots that cantilever past the edge of the range or cook top can also radiate excessive heat down into the countertop and should be avoided whenever possible.

Other Types of Damage

Avoid using strong chemicals around your countertops. Surfaces exposed to such chemicals should be immediately flushed with water as prolonged contact can damage the surface and require extensive repairs.

Harsh Chemicals: Avoid harsh chemicals such as stove and drain cleansers, paint re­movers, or any acetone-based products. If contact occurs, flush with soapy water, rinse, and towel dry. Nail polish should be removed with a non-acetone based nail polish remover and flushed with water.

Pressure and Weight: Never stand or place heavy objects on your countertops.

Cleaning Surface

To properly clean Affinity Surfaces, we suggest the following:

Stains and Dirt: Use soapy water or an ammonia-based cleaning product, rinse and towel dry.

Water Spots: Wipe surface with a damp soft towel and wipe dry.

Disinfecting: Occasionally wipe surface with a diluted 1:1 ratio of water and household bleach.

Difficult Stains: Spray stain with a household cleaner and wait for 30 seconds. Wipe surface with a damp, soft towel and wipe dry. If stain persists, repeat process and if necessary with soap and a green scotch brite pad in gentle small circles.